Process and apparatus for reacting gaseous media in the presence of hot contact material



J. E. EVANS 2,661,322 AND APPARATUS FOR REACTING GASEOUS MEDIA THE PRESENCE OF HOT CONTACT MATERIAL 4 Sheets-Sheet l 5 mm c o R 9 D.- 1 a 9 m I w 1 J a d a e l 1 D F INVENTOR. Y vmewfl Emzu BY Armmzx Dec. 1, 1953 J. E. EVANS 2,661,322

' PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR REACTING GASEOUS MEDIA IN THE PRESENCE OF HOT CONTACT MATERIAL Flled July 10, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 I IN V EN TOR. famw' E ZVaw' Dec. 1, 1953 Filed July 10, 1946 ANS J. E. EV PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR REACTING GASEOUS MEDIA IN THE PRESENCE OF HOT CONTACT MATERIAL 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTfllP/VEY.

2,661,322 EDIA 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Dec; 1, 1953 EVANS PROCESS AND APPARATUS F R REACTING GASEOUS M IN THE PRESENCE OF HOT CONTACT MATERIAL Filed July 10, 1946,

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Tram 1 ya! E Patented Dec. 1, 1953 2,661,322 ICE PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR EEACTING GASEOUS MEDIA IN THE PRESENCE OF HOT CONTACT MATERIAL James E. Evans, Wallingford, Pa., assignor to HoudryProcess Corporation, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Application July 10, 1946, Serial No. 682,463 9 Claims. (01. 196-52) My invention relates to a process of and apparatus for engaging or disengaging a gaseous medium with or from a mass of contact material. Although relating particularly to a process and apparatus wherein the contact material moves through a reaction zone, it shall be understood that the invention is not to be thus limited. This is true by reason of the fact that the novel arrangement hereinafter described may advantageously be utilized for engaging or disengaging a gaseous medium with or from a stationary mass of contact material.

As regards a reaction zone through which contact material is movable, it becomes necessary, in many instances, for the reaction zone to contain an arrangement utilizable either for engaging gases or vapors with the contact material or for disengaging such gases or vapors therefrom. Such an arrangement should be simple from the mechanical viewpoint so that parts thereof may easily be assembled at the time of initial construction. In addition, the arrangement should be of such. character that individual'parts are readily accessible for repair or removal if damage'should occur thereto during continued use of the apparatus.

My invention relates to an engaging or disengaging arrangement for gases which eiiiciently satisfies the conditions noted above. In accordance with the invention, the housing defining a reaction zone for movable or stationary contact material has horizontally disposed therein suitable supporting means for a plurality of vertical vapor-passing tubes which are suitably spaced, to form a desired pattern if desired, each of these tubes carrying one or more inverted cup-shaped members which deflect the moving contact material and, respectively, form chambers traversed by the gases or vapors. More particularly, each of the aforesaid vapor-passing tubes carries a plurality of the inverted cup-shaped members which are vertically spaced in such manner that all of said cup-shaped members assume a staggered relation with respect to each other.

My invention relates further to an arrangement wherein, as regards a reaction zone through which contact material is movable, each inverted cup-shaped member or a passage-forming member the equivalent thereof is so located in the reaction zone that substantially the entire area of the port or passage defined by the lower surface thereof faces downwardly toward a stream of moving contact material.

Other objects, advantages and features of my invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

My invention resides in the improved process and apparatus of the character hereinafter described and claimed. I

For an understanding of my invention and for an illustration of one form of apparatus with which the invention may be practiced, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an elevation view, partly broken away, taken on the line |l of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows and showing a housing having associated therewith apparatus for engaging or disengaging a gaseous medium with or from a mass of contact material;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view showing part of the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged elevational view, partly in section, showing a vapor-passing tube and a pair of cup-shaped members carried thereby;

Fig. 3a is a fragmentary elevational view illustrating a detailed feature of the invention;

Fig. 4 is an elevational view, partly in section, illustrating the formation of a mass of stagnant contact material;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 4 as viewed from the line 55 thereof;

Fig. 6 is a plan view illustrating the formation of a mass of stagnant contact material below one of the cup-shaped members of the invention;

Fig. '7 is an elevational view, partly in section. of the arrangement shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is an elevational view illustrating the formation of a mass of stagnant contact material between a pair of the cup-shaped members of the invention;

Figs. 9 and 10 are elevational views, partly broken away, each showing a housing having associated therewith an arrangement for engaging and disengaging a gaseous medium with or from a mass of contact material;

Fig. 11 is a horizontal sectional view, partly in plan, taken on the line |lll of Fig. 10 looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, taken on the line [2-42 of Fig. 10 looking in the direction of the arrows.

In Fig. 1, I have shown a housing I through which contact material C is adapted to pass downwardly under the influence of gravity. In the example shown, the housing I defines an endothermic reaction zone traversed, concurrently as regards the contact material, by vapors such, for example, as hydrocarbon vapors which undergo reaction in the presence of the contact material and, after disengagement therefrom, pass from said housing I by way of a conduit 2. Secured to the interior surface of the housing I immediately above the conduit 2, is a horizontal tube sheet or wall 3 which defines a barrier or partition dividing the housing I into upper and lower chambers. In accordance with the invention, the tube sheet 3 supports a plurality of vapor-passing vertical tubes or pipes 4 opening therethrough and extending upwardly therefrom, said tubes being spaced with respect to each other in uniform relation and in square pattern formation, Fig. 2. Each tube 4 has secured thereto one or more duplicate frusto-conical structures or inverted cup-shaped members having a lower circular surface defining a port or passage 5a, Fig. 3, through which pass the gases as they are engaged with or disengaged from the contact material C. Further, each tube :7. comprises a passage 3a., Fig. 3, for each cup-shaped member carried thereby, each passage 40!, opening into the space defined by each cup-shaped member 5 well above the lower surface thereof. Further in accordance with the invention, the tube sheet 3 supports a plurality of vertical pipes or tubes 5 opening therethrough and extending downwardly therefrom, these pipes 5 being traversed by contact material passing downwardly through the housing I to the chamber below the tube sheet 3, said contact material thereafter engaging the lower sloping wall surface id of the housing I and passing therefrom through a passage defined by a lower discharge spout lb which, in suitable manner, is sealed to prevent escape of gaseous material from the housing i while freely permitting outward passage of the contact material. As shown in Figs. 2 and 6, the

pipes 6 are spaced with respect to each other ence is to be had to Fig. 4 wherein the housing l is shown as having the horizontal tube sheet 3 disposed therein, said tube sheet supporting a single vertical pipe 5 opening therethrough and extending downwardly therefrom. With an arrangement of this, character, some of the contact material C within the housing 1 moves downwardly therethrough and thence through the pipe 6 under the influence of gravity. lhe remaining contact material within said housing as indicated at S, is supported as a stagnant or nonm ins mass b t e ub ee 3-. The v n on a m t ria it i he housing a d cated by the broken lines L, Figs. 4 and 5, has conf guration corresponding substantially with that of a cone having its longitudinal axis disposed in alinernent with the longitudinal axis of the pipe 5. Moreover, as indicated, any element of this cone is related to the tube sheet 3 by an angle of approximately 70".

Referring to Figs. 6 and '7, the tube sheet 3 in the aforesaid housing I is shown as supportin our f h her inbe e e c b d vertical pip s 6 w ch, n hrough ai tub sheet. an are supported thereby in depending relation, said pipes 6, defining the respective corners of a right- 7 angle parallelogram having sides of equal length. As will be understood in view of the description relating to Figs. 4 and 5 and, as indicated by the broken lines Ll, Figs. 6 and '7, the contact material C, adjacent the tube sheet 3, moves said plane Pl coincides with or marks the height of this stagnant mass of contact material.

The tube sheet 3, Figs. 6 and '7, at the center of the aforesaid parallelogram, is shown as supporting one of the aforesaid vapor-passing vertical tubes 4 to which is secured one of the inverted cup-shaped members 5 hereinbefore described. In accordance with the invention and for a purpose hereinafter described, this cupshaped member 5 is positioned in desired relation with respect to the aforesaid plane Pl.

Referring to Fig. 8, the hereinbefore described tube sheet 3 is shown as supporting a vertical vapor-passing tube 4 to which a plurality of the inverted cup-shaped members 5 are secured in spaced vertical relation. As will be understood in View of the previous description, the bottom surface of the lower cup-shaped member 5 causes the formation of a stagnant or non-movable conical mass of contact material, as indicated. at S2, the boundary thereof being indicated by the broken lines L2 which are related, respectively, by angles of approximately 70 to a horizontal plane. In accordance with the invention and for a reason hereinafter described, the upper cupshaped member 5, Fig. 8, is positioned in desired relation with respect to the upper surface of the above described stagnant mass of contact material S2.

Referring further to Figs. 1 and 2, the hereinbefore described tube sheet 3 is shown as carrying a plurality of the tubes 4 and pipes 6 which are utilizable for passing vapors and contact material downwardly therethrough. Each of the vapor-passing tubes 4 shown in Fig. 1 carries a. plurality of the inverted cup-shaped members 5 which are spaced in vertical relation in the manner described below.

Thus, each lower cup-shaped member 5 should be so positioned that the conical mass of stagnant contact material which is supported by the tube sheet 3 directly below said last-named cupshaped member 5 does not extend upwardly thereinto in obstructing relation with respect to its port 5a to any substantial extent. This will be understood in view of the previous description relatin to Figs. 6 and 7. Likewise, each upper cup-shaped member 5 should be positioned in similar manner with respect to the generally conical mass of stagnant contact material which surrounds a. lower portion of the associated vapor-passing tube 4 and the next lower cupshaped member 5 on said tube 4. This will be understood in view of the previous description relating to Fig. 8.

It is a feature of the invention that the respective cup-shaped members 5 are disposed, for example, as described above, with respect to the masses of stagnant contact material so that substantially the entire area of the port or passage 5a, Fig, 3, defined by the lower surface of each cup-shaped member 5' faces contact material moving along a downwardly inclined path toward the associated tube 4. To this end, the cupshaped members may be located as described above. Preferably, however, each cup-shaped member 5 is so located that the lower surface thereof is somewhat above the mass of stagnant contact material disposed therebelow. Further, as regards all of the upper cup-shaped members 5, it is preferred that each be spaced to substantial extent above the mass of stagnantv contact material disposed therebelow and also to substantial extent above the cup-shaped member positioned directly below. Thus, experience has demonstrated that improved results are obtained when the cup-shaped members of each vertical pair thereof are spaced apart a distance corresponding approximately with the height of an individual cup-shaped member 5. This relation clearly appears from a consideration of Fig. 8

stagnant contact material would not exist.

enclosing open space except for the tube 4 extending therethrough. With an arrangement of this character, obviously, the aforesaid mass of In accordance with the invention, the lower cupshaped member 5 should be located with respect to this casing, if utilized, the same as described above in connection with the mass of stagnant contact material SI. It will also be understood casings, it will be understood, in each instance, that the contact material is deflected so that it follows a path which diverges, at the periphery 'of each mass or along each casing surface, as said contact material moves downwardly. Claim language directed to this phase of the invention shall be interpreted in view of the foregoing explanation. I

As regards the spaced relation which should be maintained between the cup-shaped members "5 and the respective masses of stagnant contact 'material SI and S2 (or the casings referred to above), it shall be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the cup-shaped members 5 herein described. In lieu thereof, in connection. with this phas of the invention, equivalent passage-forming members such, for example, as

channels may be utilized for engaging or disengaging the gases.

As hereinbefore stated and as shown in Fig. l,

each tube 4 may carry a plurality of cup-shaped members 5 which should be positioned with respect to each other and with respect to the tube sheet 3 in the manner described above. An important feature of the invention resides in the fact that the respective vertical sets of the cupshaped members 5 are staggered with respect to each other. Thus, as regards Fig. 2, the cupshaped members of respective rows thereof may be arranged with respect to each other as shown in Fig. 1. Extension of this pattern to all of the "cup-shaped members which are supported by the tube sheet 3 results in the production of a desired staggered relation of said cup-shaped members. -With the arrangement described above, it will be noted that the cup-shaped members 5 are disposed in horizontal rows, Fig. l, the cup-shaped T members in each row extending horizontally throughout the area of the housing I preferably --but.not necessarily in uniform spaced relation with respect to each other.

In operation, suitable vapor or vapor-producing material is introduced into the housing I in I an upper area thereof. downwardly while undergoing reaction or other change in the presence of the contact material C. r As an example of such a reaction, the contact ymaterial C may be catalytic in character and the Jvapor or vapor-producing material may be a by- This material travels drocarbon which is subjected to a crackingop- D eration. Above the upper row of cup-shaped members 5, the contact mass forms a substantially solid bed filling housing I and, hence, in this area of said housing I, the contact material C moves downwardly in a substantially uniform manner. After the contact material C leaves that portion of the housing I where it defines a substantially solid bed, said contact material is deflected by the cup-shaped members 5 so that, while following circumferentially complete paths around the respective cup-shaped members 5, it forms a plurality of approximately parallel portions of gravitating contact material which diverge from and then converge toward the respective vertical axes of said cup-shaped members 5. At each inverted cup-shaped member 5, the aforesaid vapor or vapor-producing material is passed in vapor phase along a path intersecting the deflecting contact material and extending from the interior of the housing I to the exterior thereof. Thus, in the form of the invention described above and as stated, the vapors pass concurrently as regards the gravitating contact material. Accordingly, the vapors are disengaged from the contact material C at the port 5a of each cup-shaped member 5 and, hence, the aforesaid path intersects the contact material after divergence thereof has ceased and while it is converging toward the longitudinal axis of said cup-shaped member 5. It will be understood that the vapors undergo reaction principally in the presence of the contact material forming the aforesaid solid bed thereof although, to some extent, reaction occurs in the presence of the deflectingcontact material.

As regards each vapor-passing tube 4, the vapor which was thus disengaged at the ports 5a of the respective cup-shaped members 5 supported thereby, passes into said tube 4 by way of the respective passages 4a formed therein. The pressure decreases in a downward direction as regards the horizontal rows of cup-shaped members 5 and, therefore, a indicated in Fig. 3, the size of the passages 4a should progressively decrease in an upward direction so that there is substantially uniform intake of vapor at each -cup-shaped member 5 as desired. The accumu- '4 and escape from the bottom thereof for subsequent passage through the conduit 2, Fig. 1, to any suitable destination, not shown. Simultaneously, the contact material C, except for the stagnant areas thereof on the tube sheet 2 and around the respective tubes 4, passes downwardly through the pipes 6 and thence from the housing I by way of the lower discharge spout I b. The contact material C may be regenerated in a suitable zone and then returned to the top of the housing I for subsequent downward passage therethrough.

As regards each inverted cup-shaped member 5, Fig. 3, the area of the inclined surface of contact material between the bottom surface of said cup-shaped member 5 and the surface of the associated vapor-passing tube 4 defines the approximate area of contact material available for disengagement of the Vapors although, as will be understood, vapor disengagement occurs principally at and immediately adjacent said bottom surface of the cup-shaped member 5. The bottom peripheral surface of the cup-shaped member 5 i long compared with the length of a circular, peripheral surface of said tube 4 and, therefore, the aforesaid disengaging area has substantial size.

'stantially free from contact material.

cup-shaped member. nection with the satisfactory operation of the s. I Disengagement of the vap frbm the cimtact material should be complete or substantially so in the sense that pieces of the contact material are not entrained with and carried upwardly to or into the respective passages 40. by the vapors rising in the cup-shaped members 5, each of which, then, forms or defines a zone whi'chis sub- If this should happen to any substantial extent, an undesirable amount of contact material might pass :intc and then downwardly through the vapor- -passihg tubes 4. Aside from this, however, the entrained contact material, by abrasive action on the metal defining the passages 4a, would, in

time, alter the effective area thereof with resultant unbalance of the desired uniform vapor intake at each cup-shaped member 5.

In accordance with the invention as herein- The size of the pasis of particular significance.

throttle the vapors and obtain uniform disengagement of the vapors at the respective members 5. If, for example, there should be two horizontal rows of saidcup-shaped members 5, the passages 4a for the respective cup-shaped members 5 of the upper row (when the vapors are traveling downwardly) should be suitably smaller than those for the lower row, Fig. 3. The upper passages 411, then, throttle the vapors so that there is substantially uniform vapor intake at 'thecup-shaped members of both rows. The same principle applies when more than two rows of cup-shaped members are provided, the size of the sets of passages 4a for the respective rows increasing in the direction of flow of vapors to be disengaged. When the arrangement of Fig. 3 is to be used for engaging vapors with the contact v-material, satisfactory operation is obtained when the sizes of the respective passages 4a are related as shown. However, if such an arrangement is to be used exclusively for engaging purposes, it

-may be desirable for the lower passage to to be suitably smaller than the upper passage 4a so as to obtain desired distribution of vapors from the cup-shaped members 5.

However, the invention is not to be limited as described above. Thus, if desired, the sizes of the passages 4a for the respective cup-shaped members 5 may be selected so that the vapor intake is non-uniform.

It was previously stated herein that each lower cup-shaped member 5 should be so disposed that substantially the entire area of its port 512 faces contact material which is moving along a downwardly inclined path. It will be understood that pieces of ccntact material, while movin as described, are not readily deflected by the disengaging vapors and carried upwardly within said This is important in condisengaging arrangement.

Should a lower cup-shaped member 5 be improperly positioned so that the upper part of a stagnant contact mass extends thereinto to any substantial extent, the ascending disengaged vapors could more readily carry contact material upwardly into the associated passage 4a with the disadvantageous results noted above. Furthermore, should the condition last noted obtain,

3 'the disengaging vapors passing'through the stagnant contact mass would tend to buildup a local deposit of carbonaceous material which might adverselyaffect the operation.

In addition to the foregoing, it was previously stated that each upper cup sh'aped member 5, preferably is disposed so that the lower surface thereof is substantially above the mass of stagnant contact material which surrounds a lower portion of the associated vapor-passing tube 4 and the next lower cup shaped member 5. Accordingly, when properly positioned as just noted, each upper cup-shaped member is free from stagna'r'it contact material, this being advantageous and desirable for the reasons stated above with respect to the lower cup-shaped members.-

Another advantage resulting from the utilization of an arrangement of the character illustrated. in Fig. 1 resides in the fact that the cupshaped members 5', when arranged in staggered and vertically spaced relation as described, have free area between them, at substantially all horizontal levels, which is a large part of the crosssectional area of the housing I at said horizontal levels, respectively. This may range upwardly from approximately 60% to approximately 75% or higher of such horizontal cross-sectional area of the housing I, the percentage last referred to being i.n'accordan 2e with present preferred practice. Accordingh there is only a relatively small vertical pressure gradient in the area cf the housing I wherein the cup=shaped members '5' are disposed, this being desirable for various reasons. Thus, under some circumstances, it may become desirable for hydrocarbon vapors to be passed through the housing I countercurrent as regards the downwardly moving contact material C in the presence of which the vapors are cracked, for example. These vapors may be introduced into the housing I by way of the conduit 2 and then passed through the'tubes' 4 to the respective c'upshaped members 5 where they are engaged with the contact material and then passed countercurrent therethrough. Since the pressure gradient is relatively small as described above, these counter-current vapors do not impede, to any substantial extent, downward movement of the contact material between the c'up-shaped members 5. By my invention, then, the cup-shaped members 5,. when located with respect to each other as described, may be used either for disengaging or engaging purposes as described above. This is advantageous and desirable.

Referring particularly to Fig. 3, it will be understood that the slant height of each inverted-cup-shaped member 5 should be so chosen that the port 5a thereof defines a disengaging or engaging area having the desired size. In connection with the foregoing, it may be desirablefor the lower surface of each inverted cupshaped member 5 to be defined by a lower circular flange 52), Fig. 3a. This increases the vertical distance to the adjacent tube passage 4a and causes no change in the size of the disengaging area defined by the cup-shaped member. However, the provision of the aforesaid flange 5b is optional.

Further, with respect to the cup-shaped members 5, it will be understood that the slant height thereof should be such that the conical hypotenuse' forms an angle with a horizontal plane which, preferably, is suitably greater than the angle-of repose of the contact material, this being about thirty degrees with respect to a horizonta plane.

InFig. 3. I have shown a detailed feature of the invention, the use of which is optional. Thus, if desired, each vapor-passing tube 4 may extend to suitable extent below the associated tube sheet 3 (or channel member I6, Fig. 10), the downwardly extending tube portion 40 being closed except for a side passage 4d. With an arrangement of this character, the disengaged gases pass downwardly through the tubes 4 and then are deflected sidewise so that they do not impinge directly on and disturb any contact material therebelow.

Referring to Fig. 9, I have shown a housing III which may define a regenerating zone utilizable for burning previously deposited carbonaceous material from contact material. As illustrated, the housing If] supports lower, upper and intermediate tube sheets 3 of the character hereinbefore described, each of these tube sheets supporting a plurality of vapor-passing tubes 4 and a plurality of the pipes 6, each tube 4 supportin a desired number of the cup-shaped members 5. By pipes I I, air or other suitable oxidizing gaseous medium is introduced into the housing I I) below the respective upper and lower tube sheets 3, the resulting gases of combustion passing from said housing If! by way of a pipe I2 disposed below the intermediate tube sheet 3. The oxidizing, medium entering the housing I!) by way of the upper pipe II passes into the space around the pipes 6 extending from the upper tube sheet 3. A part of this oxidizing medium passes upwardly through the upper vapor-passing tubes 4 and, at the upper cup-shaped members 5, is

engaged with the contact material for continued upward movement through the housing I0. Thus, in this form of the invention, the gaseous medium is passed along a path intersecting the deflecting contact material and, in so doing, said gaseous medium passes from the exterior of the housing I4 to the interior thereof.

The remainder of the oxidizing medium last noted passes downwardly through the housing I in engagement with the contact material and, at

the cup-shaped members of the intermediate tube sheet 3, is disengaged, as gases of combustion, from the contact material for subsequent downward passage through the associated vapor-passing tubes 4 and thence from the housing I!) by way of the pipe I Z. troduced into the housing III by way of the lower pipe II passes into the space around the pipes 5 of the lower tube sheet 3 and a part thereof moves downwardly through the contact material. The remainder of the oxidizing medium last noted passes upwardly through the vapor-passing tubes 4 carried by the lower tube sheet and, at the respective cup-shaped members carried thereby, is engaged with the contact material for upward passage therethrough. The resulting gases of combustion enter the space beneath the intermediate tube sheet 3 and then pass from the housing It by way of the pipe I2.

As the foregoing operation proceeds, it will be understood that a plurality of approximately parallel streams of contact material are passing downwardly through the housing It! in generally the same manner as hereinbefore described with respect to the housing I. Thus, the contact material above the upper tube sheet 3, Fig. 9, engages the cup-shaped members 5 carried by the respective tubes 4 and is deflected by each cup-shaped member so that it diverges and then converges toward the respective longitudinal axes of said cup-shaped members 5. At each port 5a, the oxi- The oxidizing medium indizing medium is engaged with the contact material and thereafter passes upwardly in the manner described. After the contact material passes below the cup-shaped members 5 carried by said upper tube sheet 3, it traverses the vertical pipes 6 and then enters the chamber between the upper and intermediate tube sheets. As regards the intermediate and lower tube sheets 3 together with the cup-shaped members 5 of Fig. 9, the action is the same as described above, although as has been explained, it is a disengaging operation rather than an engaging operation which is effected at the cup-shaped members 5 of the inter mediate tube sheet 3.

Referring to Figs. 10, 11 and 12, I have shown a housing I 4 which may define a regenerating zone the same as hereinbefore described with respect to the housing I0. As illustrated, the housing I4 supports lower, intermediate and upper conduits I5, the respective opposite ends of each terminating interiorly and exteriorly of said housing I4. As shown, particularly in Figs. 10 and 11, the lower conduit I5 supports a plurality of inverted channel members I6 which extend horizontally in opposite directions from the respective opposite sides thereof, each channel member I6, as shown in Fig. 12, being disposed in free communicating relation with the conduit I5 by way of a passage I5a formed in the latter. Each of the channel ,1. members I6 carries a. plurality of the hereinbefore described vapor-passing vertical tubes 4, each of which supports a desired number of the cup-shaped members 5. In a manner similar to that described above, each intermediate and upper conduit I 5 supports a plurality of the channel members I6 and these, in turn, carry a plurality of the tubes 4 which support the cup-shaped members 5 as described.

Air or other suitable oxidizing gaseous medium is introduced into the housing I4 by way of the lower and upper conduits I5, the resulting gases of combustion passing from said housing I4 by way of the intermediate conduit I5. More particularly, the oxidizing medium entering the housing I4 by way of the upper conduit I5 passes into the spaces defined by the respective channel members I6 carried thereby. A part of this oxidizing medium passes upwardly through the upper vapor-passing tubes 4 and, at the upper cup-shaped members 5, is engaged with the contact material for continued upward movement through the housing I4. The remainder of the oxidizing medium last noted passes downwardly through the housing I4 and, at the intermediate set of cup-shaped members 5, is disengaged, as gases of combustion, from the contact material for subsequent downward passage through the associated vapor-passing tubes 4 and thence from the housing I4 by way of the intermediate conduit I5. In similar fashion, the oxidizing medium introduced into the housing I4 by way of the lower conduit I5 passes into the spaces defined by the respective channel members I6 associated therewith. A part of the oxidizing medium last named moves downwardly through the housing I4 and the remainder thereof passes upwardly through the vapor-passing tubes 4 carried by the respective channel members I6 last named. At the cup-shaped members 5 carried by the respectivetubes 4 last noted, the oxidizing medium referred to immediately above is engaged with the contact material for upward passage therethrough, the resulting gases of combustion entering the spaces defined by the intermediate channel members I6, respectively, and then passing :15! from .thehousing 44 by way of the intermediate conduit 15.

In a manner the same as hereinbefore described with respect to Fig. .9, approximately parallel streams of contact material pass downwardly through the housing l4 after deflection thereof by the cup-shaped members 5 disposed therein and, during the defiectingoperation, the gases are either engaged with or disengaged from said .contact material. As indicated in Fig. .11, the channel members l6 are spaced apart, preferably :but not necessarily in substantially uniform manner, in a direction extending longitudinally of each conduit i5. Hence, the contact material, as it moves downwardly through the housing 1.4, traverses the passages defined by the respective sets of adjacent channel members l6.

Referring further to .Fig. 11, the vertical axis of the housing M .is indicated at [4d whereas the vertical axes of the diverging-converging portions of contact material are indicated, respectively, :at -5d. A plurality of these vertical raxes 5d are spaced differentdistances from the vertical housing axis Md as indicated, for example, by the lines Ll, L2 and L3 which are angularly related to each other at said housing axis. This spacing .arrangement relates to .an important feature of the invention and it will be understood that corresponding arrangements are inherent in theforms of the invention previously described.

In Fig. 9, I have shown three tube sheets 3 for supporting the respective sets of cup-shaped members 5.. The arrangement of Fig. 10 is the same as that of Fig. 9 in the sense that three supporting conduits are utilized. Obviously, the invention is not to be thus restricted since a different number of said tube sheets 3 and conduits 1.5 may be utilized as desired. Thus, for example, :by utilizing additional tube sheets 3 .or supporting conduits 15 as many reaction zones as desired may be provided.

With respect to the forms of the invention shown in Figs. -9, 10 and 11, it will be understood that, generally the same as hereinbefore described in connection with Fig. 1, the contact material in the respective housing portions above, below and between the sets of cupshaped members 5, gravitates substantially in solid bed fashion and that reaction of the regenerating medium occurs principally in the presence of this contact material.

As regards the form of my invention shown in Fig. 1, it will be understood, in view of the previous description, that there is to be no ,re-

striction thereof to the utilization of a supporting tube sheet 3. As well, for example, an intermediate conduitchannel arrangement of the character shown in Fig. .10 may be substituted for the tube sheet arrangement of Fig. 1. If so, the gases, after disengagement from the contact material C of Fig. 1, are collected in the conduit 5 and then pass from the housing by way of the conduit 2.

It shall be understood that the .invention is not to be limited to inverted cup-shaped members having conical configuration. As well, for example, each inverted cup-shaped member may be shaped somewhat as a pyramid having a lower opening which defines a lower passage or port having suitable configuration. In any event, as is clearly shown on the drawings, the major transverse dimension of each cup-shaped member 5 is small compared with the major transverse dimension of any of the reaction housings.

In the forms of the invention herein shown, the housings are circular in horizontal :section and, hence, the major transverse dimension last-noted is the housing diameter. In view of the preceding disclosure, it will :also be understood that the vapors, regardless of whether they are being en- ,gaged or disengaged, traverse all of the :cup shaped members 5 in parallel relation.

In the preceding part of this specification, .I have described a particular way in which a set of 'four of the pipes B are spaced with respect to each other and with respect to a vapor-passing tube :4. It shall be distinctly understood, however, that the invention is not to be thus limited. Thus, the pipes 4 may be positioned symmetrically or non-symmetrically with respect to each other :as desired and the various sets thereof may be so arranged that they follow any desired pattern either of uniform or non-uniform char- :acter.

with respect to the invention as previously described, the tubes 4 for the cup-shaped :mem- .bers 5 have been shown as supported either by a tube sheet 3 or a channel member l6. Obviously, these tubes 4 may be otherwise supported if desired and, in this connection, there may be utilized a simple pipe or conduit which is :carried by the housing defining the reaction zone.

Although the invention has been described with particular reference to systems wherein a. gaseous medium is engaged with or disengaged from moving contact material, it shall be understood, .as hereinbefore stated, that the invention is not to be thus limited. Thus, with a stationary or static bed of contact material, arrangements-of the character described may be utilized for engaging and/or disengaging purposes as regards the gaseous medium which is passed through said stationary bed of contact material in order to eifect a desired .reaction.

the preceding part of this specification, the invention has been described with respect to endothermic and exothermic reactions of a particular character. It shall be understood, for systems wherein the contact material is movable as well as for systems wherein the contact material is stationary, that the engaging and/or disengaging arrangement of the invention is utilizable in connection with various other endothermic or exothermic reactions.

The invention has been described with respect to arrangements utilizing cup-shaped members by which gaseous mediums are engaged with or disengaged from contact material. From the mechanical aspect, such arrangements are desirable for the reasons hereinbefore noted. From the viewpoint of either the engaging or disengaging operation, these arrangements perform in a highly satisfactory manner. When a gaseous medium is engaged with the contact material, it is passed through the ports 5a of the respective cup-shaped members 5 directly into engagement with the contact material. Due to the presence of these ports and by reason of the configuration thereof, formation of craters in the contact material or excessive agitation thereof is minimized or entirely eliminated. When a gaseous. medium is disengaged from the contact material, the operation proceeds in a satisfactory manner as hereinbefore described.

During the reaction operation and as hereinbefore described, vapors pass through a reaction zone having disposed therein cup-shaped membars 5 supported at different horizontal levels. In

accordance with a preferred form of the invention, the total cross-sectional area definedby all of the ports a of said cup-shaped members should be greater than the free cross-sectional area of said housing at any horizontal plane intersecting said members, the free cross-sectional area being the area of th housing between the cups at the horizontal plane. If so, the velocity of the vapors entering said ports becomes less than the vapor velocity in the disengaging area defined by said cup-shaped members 5. When the vapor velocity thus decreases, entrained contact material tends to and does settle from the rising vapors, and this action becomes significant or pronounced with respect to small pieces of contact material or fines. By selecting the proper number of cup-shaped members 5, the velocity of the vapor entering said ports 511 may be caused to have a desired low magnitude and, if sufficiently low, the aforesaid settling action of the contact material becomes substantial. Accordingly, from this viewpoint, the cup-shaped members 5 of my invention function as separators with respect to contact material entrained in a vapor stream. In view of the foregoing, it will be understood that, in a process wherein particles of contact material are entrained in a stream of vapors passing through a reaction zone, a suitable number of the herein described cup-shaped members 5 may be supported in a selected area of said reaction zone where they function in an effective manner as regards reduction in vapor velocity and consequent separation of the aforesaid particles of contact material from the rising vapors. As regards this separating or velocity-reducing phase of my invention, it shall be understood that there is to be no restriction to cup-shaped members since other equivalent passage-forming members may be used in lieu thereof for the purpose stated.

Along the lines of the foregoing, it will be understood that, when the cup-shaped members 5 of my invention are to be utilized for engaging vapors with contact material, a sufiicient number thereof should be provided so that the velocity of the vapors issuing from the respective ports 512 has a desired low magnitude so as to avoid undesired agitation of the contact material below each cup-shaped member.

While the invention has been described with respect to certain particular preferred examples which give satisfactory results, it will be understood by those skilled in the art, after understanding the invention, that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and it is intended, therefore, in th appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a process wherein a gaseous medium undergoes reaction in the presence of hot contact material, the steps which comprise passing said contact material under the influence of gravity downwardly through the upper portion of a contact zone as a continuou non-turbulent solid bed, causing the contact material, in the lower portion of said contact zone, to form a plurality of, approximately parallel portions of gravitating contact material which, first, diverge from and then converge toward the respective vertical axes of said portions with the resultant formation in each portion of a zone that is substantially free from contact material and which, second, are circumferentially complete around each zone, the vertical axes of said plurality of said diverging and converging portions of gravitating contact material being spaced different distances from the vertical axis of said contact zone, and passing a gaseous medium vertically through said contact zone by way of a path including said zones substantially free of contact material and the bed of contact material, said gaseous medium undergoing reaction principally in th continuous bed in the upper portion of said contact zone, through which bed the gaseous medium travels in a straight vertical direction throughout the vertical extent of said bed.

2. In a process wherein a gaseous medium undergoes reaction in the presence of hot contact material, the steps which comprise passing said contact material under the influence of gravity downwardly through the upper portion of a contact zone as a continuous non-turbulent solid bed, causing the contact material, in the lower portion of said contact zone, to form a plurality of approximately parallel portions of grav t C011- tact material which, first, diverge from and then converge toward the respective vertical axes of said portions with the resultant formation in each portion of a zone that is substantially free from contact material and which, second, are circumferentially complete around each zone, the vertical axes of said plurality of said diverging and converging portions of gravitating contact material being spaced different distances from the vertical axis of said contact zone, and pass ing a gaseous medium through said zones free of contact material and thereafter through the bed of contact material and thence out of said contact zone, said gaseous medium undergoing reaction principally in the continuous bed in the upper portion of said contact zone, through which bed the gaseous medium travels in a straight vertical direction throughout the vertical extent of said bed.

3. In a process wherein a gaseous medium undergoes reaction in the presence of hot contact material, the steps which comprise passing said contact material under the influence of gravity downwardly through the upper portion of a contact zone as a continuous non-turbulent solid bed, causing the contact material, in the lower portion of said contact zone, to form a plurality of approximately parallel portions of gravitating contact material which, first, diverge from and then converge toward the respective vertical axes of said portions at a plurality of vertical levels with the resultant formation in each portion of a plurality of spaced vertical zones that are substantially free from contact material and which, second, are circumferentially complete around each zone, the vertical axes of said plurality of said diverging and converging portions of gravitating contact material being spaced different distances from the vertical axis of said contact zone, and passing a gaseous medium vertically through said contact zone by way of a path including said zones substantially free of contact material and the bed of contact material, said gaseous medium undergoing reaction principally in the continuous bed in the upper portion of said contact zone, through which bed the gaseous medium travels in a straight vertical direction throughout the vertical extent of said bed.

4. In a process wherein a gaseous medium undergoes reaction in the presence of hot contact material, the steps which comprise passing said contact material under the influence of gravity downwardly through the upper portion of a contact zone as a continuous non-turbulent solid bed, causing the contact material, in the lower portion of said contact zone, to form a plurality of approximately parallel portions of gravitating contact material which, first, diverge from and then converge toward the respective vertical axes of said portions with the resultant formation in each portion of a zone that is substantially free from contact material and which, second, are circumferentially complete around each zone, the vertical axes of said plurality of said diverging and converging portions of gravitating contact material being spaced different distances from the vertical axis of said contact zone, and passing a gaseous medium downwardly through said bed then through said zones substantially free or contact material and thereafter out of said contact zone, said gaseous medium undergoing reaction principally in the continuous bed in the upper portion of said contact zone, through which bed the gaseous medium travels in a straight vertical direction throughout the vertical extent of said bed.

5.. In a process wherein a gaseous medium undergoes reaction in the presence of hot contact material, the steps which comprise passing said contact material under the influence of gravity downwardly through the upper portion of a contact zone as a continuous non-turbulent solid bed, causing the contact material, in the lower portion of said contact zone, to form a plurality of approximately parallel portions or" gravitating contact material which, first, diverge from and then converge toward. the respective vertical axes of said portions with the resultant formation in each portion of a zone that is subtantially free from contact material and which, second, are circumferentially complete around each-zone, the vertical axes of said plurality of said diverging and converging portions of gravitating contact material being spaced different distances from the vertical axis of said contact zone, and passing a gaseous medium vertically through said contact zone by way of a path including said zones substantially free of contact material in parallel relation and the bed of contact material, said gaseous medium undergoing reaction principally in the continuous bed in the upper portion of said contact zone, through which bed the gaseous medium travels in a straight vertical direction throughout the vertical extent of said bed.

6. In apparatus of the character described, a housing defining a reaction chamber, supporting means horizontally disposed in said housing, a plurality of spaced vapor-passing tubes rising vertically from said supporting means at different respective distances radially from the longl tudinal axis of said housing, and a plurality of inverted, port-defining cup-shaped members carried by each of said tubes in spaced vertical relation, the major transverse dimension of the port for each cup-shaped member being relatively small compared with the major transverse dimension of said housing, the cup-shaped members on adjacent rows of said tubes being disposed in staggered relation with respect to each other to form upper and lower horizontal layers of said cup-shaped members, the lower surfaces of the respective cup-shaped members in said upper layer occupying a horizontal plane which substantially coincides with the upper surfaces of the respective cup-shaped members in said lower layer, all of said vapor-passing tubes com- 6 municating with a gas manifold below said reaction chamber.

7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 6, wherein said vapor-passing tubes are disposed symmetrically with respect to each other in square pattern formation.

8. An apparatus for conversion of fluid hydrocarbons in the presence of a particle-form contact material which comprises in combination: means defining a conversion vessel adapted to confine gaseous material and a column of contact material; means to introduce particleform contact material into the upper section of said vessel; means to withdraw contact material from the lower section thereof; means to introduce fluid hydrocarbons into the upper section of said vessel; a plurality of inverted gas collection cups positioned within the lower section of said vessel, said cups being arranged at a plurality of levels within the lower section of said vessel and having horizontal dimensions which are in all directions relatively small as compared with the corresponding dimensions of said vessel, gas withdrawal tubes registering with the under sides of said cups, said tubes having orifices therein establishing communication between the tubes and cups at the points of registry, said orifices being progressively larger for cups at successively lower levels.

9. An apparatus for conversion of fluid hydrocarbons in the presence of a particle-form contact material which comprises in combina-. tion: means defining a conversion vessel adapted to confine gaseous material and a column of contact material; means to introduce particleform contact material into the upper section of said vessel; means to withdraw contact material from the lower section thereof; means to introduce fluid hydrocarbons into the upper section of said vessel; a plurality of inverted cup-shaped gas collecting members positioned within the lower section of said vessel, said collecting members being arranged at a plurality of levels therein and being disposed in vertically staggered relation with respect to laterally-adjacent collect ing members, gas Withdrawal tubes registering with the under sides of said collecting members, said tubes having orifices therein establishing communication between the tubes and the collecting members at the point of registry, said orifices being progressively larger for collecting members at successively lower levels.

JAMES E. EVANS.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 534,517 Priestone 2. Feb. 19, 1895 570,449 Blodgett Nov. 3, 1896 698,129 Niese Apr. 22, 1902 1,458,983 Kirby June 19, 1923 2,079,158 De Rachat May 4, 1937 2,350,644 Simpson et al. June 6, 1944 2,378,157 Ramseyer et al. June 12, 1945 2,386,670 Evans Oct. 9, 1945 2,386,846 Dunham Oct. 16, 1945 2,389,133 Brassert et al. Nov. 20, 1945 2,397,350 Hayden et a1 Mar. 26, 1946 2,412,696 .Schonberg et al. Dec. 17, 1946 2,417,399 Simpson et al. Mar. 11, 1947 2,429,980 Allinson Nov. 4, 1947 2,439,348 Simpson et al. Apr. 6, 1948 2,458,498 Bergstrom Jan. 11, 1949 2,459,096 Ray Jan. 11, 1949 

1. IN A PROCESS WHEREIN A GASEOUS MEDIUM UNDERGOES REACTION IN THE PRESENCE OF HOT CONTACT MATERIAL, THE STEPS WHICH COMPRISES PASSING SAID CONTACT MATERIAL UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF GRAVITY DOWNWARDLY THROUGH THE UPPER PORTION OF A CONTACT ZONE AS A CONTINUOUS NON-TURBULENT SOLID BED, CAUSING THE CONTACT MATERIAL, IN THE LOWER PORTION OF SAID CONTACT ZONE, TO FORM A PLURALITY OF APPROXIMATELY PARALLEL PORTIONS OF GRAVITATING CONTACT MATERIAL WHICH, FIRST, DIVERGE FROM AND THEN CONVERGE TOWARD THE RESPECTIVE VERTICAL AXES OF SAID PORTIONS WITH THE RESULTANT FORMATION IN EACH PORTION OF A ZONE THAT IS SUBSTANTIALLY FREE FROM CONTACT MATERIAL AND WHICH, SECOND, AND CIRCUMFERENTIALLY COMPLETE AROUND EACH ZONE, THE VERTICAL AXES OF SAID PLURALITY OF SAID DIVERGING AND CONVERGING PORTIONS OF GRAVITATING CONTACT MATERIAL BEING SPACED DIFFERENT DISTANCES FROM THE VERTICAL AXIS OF SAID CONTACT ZONE, AND PASSING A GASEOUS MEDIUM VERTICALLY THROUGH SAID CONTACT ZONE BY WAY OF A PATH INCLUDING SAID ZONES SUBSTANTIALLY FREE OF CONTACT MATERIAL AND THE BED OF CONTACT MATERIAL, SAID GASEOUS MEDIUM UNDERGOING REACTION PRINCIPALLY IN THE CONTINUOUS BED IN THE UPPER PORTION OF SAID CONTACT ZONE, THROUGH WHICH BED THE GASEOUS MEDIUM TRAVELS IN A STRAIGHT VERTICAL DIRECTION THROUGHOUT THE VERTICAL EXTENT OF SAID BED.
 9. AN APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION OF FLUID HYDROCARBONS IN THE PRESENCE OF A PARTILCE-FORM CONTACT MATERIAL WHICH COMPRISES IN COMBINATION: MEANS DEFINING A CONVERSION VESSEL ADAPTED TO CONFINE GASEOUS MATERIAL AND A COLUMN OF CONTACT MATERIAL; MEANS TO INTRODUCE PARTICLEFORM CONTACT MATERIAL INTO THE UPPER SECTION OF SAID VESSEL; MEANS TO WITHDRAW CONTACT MATERIAL FROM THE LOWER SECTION THEREOF; MEANS TO INTRODUCE FLUID HYDROCARBONS INTO THE UPPER SECTION OF SAID VESSEL; A PLURALITY OF INVERTED CUP-SHAPED GAS COLLECTING MEMBERS POSITIONED WITHIN THE LOWER SECTION OF SAID VESSEL, SAID COLLECTING MEMBERS BEING ARRANGED AT A PLURALITY OF LEVELS THEREIN AND BEING DISPOSED IN VERTICALLY STAGGERED RELATION WITH RESPECT TO LATERALLY-ADJACENT COLLECTING MEMBERS, GAS WITHDRAWAL TUBES REGISTERING WITH THE UNDER SIDES OF SAID COLLECTING MEMBERS SAID TUBES HAVING ORIFICES THEREIN ESTABLISHING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE TUBES AND THE COLLECTING MEMBERS AT THE POINT OF REGISTRY, SAID ORIFICES BEING PROGRESSIVELY LARGER FOR COLLECTING MEMBERS AT SUCCESSIVELY LOWER LEVELS. 